Recent Exchange in an Online Forum for Weight Loss

The post read: "I didn't really have a good start. The other day I hurt my foot and had to get sewed back together, which definitly sabotages my sports program, but oh well. Not much I can do about it. I didn't totally stick to my eating program either (I was so annoyed that I ate a little more - I'm still fighting my emotional eating attitude) but I started cooking for myself and my mom and it helps keeping me full longer than all that prefixed stuff, so I guess after all I have not totally screwed up everything."

My Reply: That is just about a given, that as soon as you DECIDE you are going to get back on track, wham, something happens to screw it all up. I remember how I got the flu after my first workout, when I joined my first gym (that's been 20 years ago now), and it's held true. If I have a lengthy lay off, then you can just about set your watch on it that I'll have "something" happen. An injury, an illness, something will cause me to not be able to follow through, and what I think is going on is your brain is doing everything in its power to keep things the same.

Brains Hate Change

Brains hate change. How else could we survive if not for routine? So, it makes sense. But you can combat it by simply smiling and realizing what is going on. So you hurt yourself and can't do the workouts you planned. Then make a different plan for the next few weeks. I swear, even just doing push ups is better than nothing. Have you ever tried standing next to a wall and "sitting" except there is no chair and staying as long as possible? That is killer on the legs. Very effective, yet, who does it? Hardly anyone. We don't think of the easy to do stuff, because we get caught up in our "programs."

Think Basic - Back to Nature

Think basic. We are human beings living in a modern world but think basic and you'll come up with ways to create exercise in your daily life. Our grandmothers had to do the wash by hand, had to hang the wash to dry, and had to beat rugs with a broom. Some of them didn't have indoor plumbing until the 1930s. It has not been that long ago, yet we've come up so fast with conveniences and turned ourselves into people who need barely move a muscle to get things done. That's nice, but it's not healthy.

Get moving. Did you know that if you had a pile of rocks and did nothing but move that pile from one place to another a couple of times a week, that could be your entire "exercise program"? It's true. I carried a bag of barkdust to the front yard, spread it around, move a couple of plants and the next day boy did my muscles let me know they'd been worked, but what if I did gardening regularly? Soon I wouldn't feel a thing because my muscles would adapt. They'd get used to it. That's why you need to constantly either change what you're doing, or add more resistance (make it more difficult), or not. You can reach the point where you are healthy, sane and enjoying your life, and you don't have to keep adding anything anymore.

Find something else if you can't do your regular routine, and you'll feel better. Your foot will heal, and you'll get on track. I know you will. You want it, and that's what matters. >> End

Forums are great for exchanging ideas and information. I regularly participate in many of them. Check my links pages for weight loss forums. I frequent the groups at DietTalk.com and the About.com weight loss forum. I also visit the thyroid forum there (I'm hypothyroid), and